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Important Senior Class Information
(These dates/times may change due to extraneous circumstances; check back frequently for updates.)
(Revised 08/15/14)
** If you are a senior that does not have a 1st period, you are still responsible
for attending all meetings; if you do not attend the meetings, we cannot be
held responsible for you not knowing updated information.
June
18th/19th – Senior Class Portraits (You will receive time and date through the mail.)
July
14th/15th – Senior Class Portraits (You will receive time and date through the mail.)
August
14th – Orientation (Begin Purchasing T-shirts / Privilege Cards)
September
8th – Senior Portraits
19th – Senior Class Meeting/Breakfast (7am in GJHS Food Court)
Introduction to Officers, Sponsors, and run down of yearly events
Homecoming Weekend
October
17th – Senior Class Meeting (7am in GJHS Auditorium)
Herff Jones Presentation (Graduation Announcements / Cap and Gowns)
rd
23 – Senior Class Panoramic (During 2nd period ENN in Gym)
November
21st – Senior Yearbook Ads Due
December
19th – Senior Class Meeting/Lunch (7th period at Key Club Park)
January
5th – Begin Selling Grad Bash Tickets (See Price List Below)
Begin Organizing Field Day Teams and Sponsors
th
9 – Last Day for Seniors to Purchase Yearbooks
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February
13th – Senior Class Meeting/Breakfast (7am in GJHS Food Court)
Cap and Gown Portraits (7am – 11am)
Field Day Team Packets are Due
March
27th – Senior Class Meeting/Breakfast (8am in GJHS Food Court)
Senior Field Day
April
11th – Prom
May
1st – All Community Service Time Sheets are Due
2nd – Grad Bash (Meet at front of school @ TBA)
– Senior Exams
– Seniors Last Day
– Senior Awards Night (By Invitation)
– Baccalaureate (All Seniors)
June
– Senior Class Meeting/Breakfast – All Seniors Must be Present
– Graduation Practice @ 8am (GJHS Food Court – All Seniors Must be Present)
– Graduation Practice @ TBA (The Lakeland Center – All Seniors Must be Present)
– Graduation @ TBA (The Lakeland Center – All Seniors Must be Present)
Senior Class Things You Need to Know
Privilege Cards
All expenses for the senior class throughout the year are paid directly through senior class fundraising. The
purchase of a privilege card is each senior’s contribution to these costs as the major fundraiser. The privilege card
is required for the breakfasts and lunch, participation in field day, Powder Puff / Volley Buff, and free admission to
the multiple senior class events that will occur throughout the year. Please purchase your card as early as possible!
Senior Field Day
This event is a fun day for seniors to team up with the friends and compete against their peers in traditional
outdoor relay games. The senior teams must get a school-board approved adult (if getting a teacher then you will
also collect money to pay for the teacher’s substitute), design and pay for their team shirt (shirts will be ordered
through the senior class at a bulk-order cost), and submit the approved paperwork with parent/guardian signature
before the deadline. We encourage all seniors to participate in this incredibly fun event!
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Grad Bash
Grad Bash is an annual event where all seniors gather with other seniors from around the state at Universal Studios
and Islands of Adventure; the students will meet at the front of GJHS to load the busses on Saturday afternoon and
will return Sunday morning (times will be given as the date approaches). The cost of the ticket will include
transportation to and from the event (students must travel the busses with our students and staff…no personal cars
will be allowed), entrance to both parks and all roller coasters, and the multiple concerts and events that will occur
inside the parks. The students will be responsible for their food, drinks, and any souvenirs they choose to purchase.
It is each senior’s responsibility to purchase their ticket, sign up for their bus preference, and have their districtrequired form notarized by each deadline. The deadlines for Grad Bash will not be altered for any student so it is
essential they meet all required deadlines.
Senior Class Slideshow
There will be many events taking place over the course of this year, and one photographer cannot be present at all
events. To document all the laughs and memorable moments of your final year, each senior is asked to submit
various pictures throughout the year. While not every picture submitted will end up in the slide show, we want the
slide show to include many seniors and not a select few; for this reason, each senior will be responsible for
submitting their own photos throughout the year to the senior class email. Listen to announcements for the email.
Cap and Gown Packet Orders
All seniors who walk at the Graduation ceremony must have the proper cap, gown, tassel, and medallion ordered
through Herff Jones; do not plan on ordering from another company as the fabric colors must all match in the
traditional GJHS colors. (From our experience…hunter green from one company is not the same as another.) Cap
and Gown orders will begin in October and can be purchased until the final day of 1st semester. If a senior has not
ordered their cap and gown packets by the end of the 1st semester then they risk not walking at graduation. The
administration and senior class sponsors of GJHS will not be held responsible for any student who does not walk
due to their failure to purchase their cap and gown packets in a timely manner. Do not wait until this last day!
Graduation Practices
The graduation practices will be mandatory for all seniors who anticipate walking during the commencement
ceremony. If you do not attend these practices then you will not know where you are to be in the lineup, nor will
you know the entering/leaving procedures; not knowing this information can exclude you from walking at
graduation. Since we are giving you this information in advance do not schedule any doctor’s appointments, make
any family plans, and/or pick up any work shifts during these times…again, you must be in attendance! Should a
college orientation take place during this day, then we MUST be made aware of your absence before the day of the
practice. We only need you for these few hours over the two days, so do not risk not walking because you were
late or not in attendance. Please do not put us in an uncomfortable spot of not allowing you to walk due to your
absence.
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Estimated Senior Year Expenses (Some Items are Optional)
(These expenses are approximate and could change due to vendor costs and various options available)
Senior Privilege Card
Senior Class T-shirt
Cap, Gown, Tassel, and Medallion (Herff Jones)
Graduation Announcements (Herff Jones)
Senior Panoramic Portrait (Leonard’s Studio)
Senior Portraits
Cap and Gown Portraits
Grad Bash (Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure)
Yearbook
Homecoming Ticket
Prom Ticket
$ 35
$ 10
$ 80
$ Various Package Options
$ 15
$ 15 (Sitting Fee)
$ Various Package Options
$ 65
$ 75 (Orientation Price Only)
$ 25
$ 60
Senior Class Contact Information
Mr. Townley (matt.townley@polk-fl.net) –Senior Class Sponsor (Room #1216)
- Senior Class T-shirts/Privilege Cards
- Senior Class Meeting/Breakfasts
- Senior Field Day
- Senior Panoramic Portrait
- Grad Bash
Mr. Robertson (kevin.robertson@polk-fl.net) – Senior Class Sponsor (Learning Center)
- Senior Field Day
- Grad Bash
- Cap and Gowns/Graduation Announcements
- Baccalaureate Information
- Graduation Information
Mrs. Robinson (janet.robinson@polk-fl.net ) – Guidance
- Community Service Hours/Deadlines
- Transcripts via the Senior Exit Survey
Mrs. Cortello (merritt.cortello@polk-fl.net ) – Guidance
- Diplomas
Mrs. Salas (jessica.salas@polk-fl.net) – Yearbook Coordinator (Room #4224)
- Senior Portraits
- Cap and Gown Portraits
- Yearbook Information